August 14, 2025

In this issue: 

• 60-day Notice - AMA Annual General Meeting, elections and bylaw changes
• Health Quality Alberta recruiting new CEO to advance health care excellence
• Share what's weighing you down! Complete the 2025 Admin Burden survey
• Submit a CMA nomination today!
• Alberta Human Rights Tribunal rules in favor of disabled patient. Physicians should be aware.
• Cafe de Paris: A new resource for Alberta health professionals
• Slide into something cool! Join the 2025-26 Edmonton doctors curling league 
• Primary Care Alberta updates
  • COVID-19 vaccination bookings
  • Saskatoon Farms gastrointestinal outbreak: New AHS website available
  • Pneumococcal vaccine program expansion
  • Atypical opioid-related overdose presentations from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
  • Lab Bulletins:
    • Alberta Precision Labs resumes Urea Breath Testing (UBT) for all Zones
    • Return to Complement C3 testing to Edmonton base lab
    • Changes to CSF Prion disease testing panel (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD)) protein screen
• MD Financial
  • RESPs - What's the best contribution strategy for my family?
• Community Connections

60-day Notice - AMA Annual General Meeting, elections and bylaw changes

The 120^th AMA Annual General Meeting will be held via Zoom at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 7. 

As required under the AMA Bylaws, members received 60 days’ notice of:

• Proposed bylaw changes to be considered. 
• Elections to take place at the AGM (Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Nominating Committee and AMA representatives to the CMA General Council for 2026).

The deadline for receipt of nominations is 9 a.m. on Thursday, September 4. Elections will be held during the 2025 AGM as required. 

To read more and submit a nomination, visit the AMA website (member login required).

Health Quality Alberta recruiting new CEO to advance health care excellence

Health Quality Alberta is seeking a visionary leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer. This key role offers an exciting opportunity to guide the organization in its mission to improve healthcare experiences, outcomes and value for Albertans.

As mandated by the Health Quality Council of Alberta Act, Health Quality Alberta plays a critical role in assessing and studying the province’s health care system. The organization is deeply committed to engaging with Albertans, listening to diverse perspectives and gathering insights from patient and family experiences. 

Through rigorous, evidence-based analysis, Health Quality Alberta identifies effective practices and collaborates with health system partners to drive meaningful improvements. The appointment of a strong, forward-thinking CEO will ensure continued progress toward a more responsive, innovative and patient-centered health care system.

Know someone who might be a great fit?

Help spread the word and support the future of health care in Alberta.

Share what's weighing you down! Complete the 2025 Admin Burden survey

The Canadian Medical Association and and Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) are delving deeper to identify areas of action to alleviate physicians’ administrative burden. 

Share your experiences in the first national baseline study. Your input will help doctors take back time and energy for what truly matters.

Submit a CMA nomination today!

This is the perfect opportunity for you to recognize the dedication, accomplishments and talents of your peers and colleagues who are making significant contributions to health care & the medical profession.

 

The CMA Awards span across 10 categories whose recipients include changemakers from different career stages, backgrounds and geographic regions. One non-physician is also recognized every year.

If you have someone in mind that you would like to nominate, the AMA would be happy to review and potentially write a letter of endorsement in order for you to submit your nominee. Visit the CMA website for more information, award criteria and meet the 2025 CMA Awards recipients. 

Contact committees@albertadoctors.org for more information.

Alberta Human Rights Tribunal rules in favor of disabled patient. Physicians should be aware

Alberta Human Rights Commission has ruled with respect to accommodations for patients with disability.

 
The AMA will be providing perspective from our legal counsel in an upcoming issue of Alberta Doctors’ Digest, but physicians should be aware of the ruling. 

In a statement, the clinic advised that they have updated their policies and procedures, including the addition of steps to support patients who need help being transferred to exam tables. Their goal is to ensure equitable, barrier-free access to diagnostic care for all patients. 

Read the CBC News story  

Read the Human Rights Tribunal decision 

AMA rep needed for Alberta Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program's Advisory Committee

This position is a CEO appointed external committee opportunity, provided by invitation from the Alberta Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs Advisory Committee, to fill a vacant AMA representative position for a minimum two-year term. 

Continued AMA membership is required throughout the term of service. 

The Alberta Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Programs’ Advisory Committee (ABCCSP AC) provides oversight and advice to support effective, population-based breast and cervical cancer screening programs in Alberta. 

The ABCCSP AC meets semi-annually. The next scheduled meetings are September 16 (two hours) and November 24 (full-day).

Interested? Send your expression of interest (a maximum of one page) and your CV (maximum of three pages) by September 1 to Sarah.Wakulchyk@albertadoctors.org.

Café de Paris: A new resource for Alberta

health professionals

The Alberta Health Network (Réseau santé Alberta) is proud to announce the launch of the Café de Paris program in Alberta. This innovative initiative aims to support health professionals in improving their French language skills, while promoting the active offer of French health services and meeting the needs of Alberta's growing Francophone community. 

Café de Paris is a welcoming, flexible and pressure-free learning space designed for health professionals who work directly with patients. Whether you want to improve your French or gain confidence to provide quality care in both official languages, this program is for you. Sessions, led by experienced facilitators, adapt to your needs and schedule. 

By participating, you contribute to a more inclusive and equitable health care system, while benefiting from personalized support and a non-judgmental learning environment. 

To register or learn more: 

• Phone: 780-466-9816 
• Email: info@cafedeparis-alberta.ca
• Website: cafedeparis-alberta.ca 

Primary Care Alberta updates

The following PCA updates have been provided for your information: 

• COVID-19 vaccination bookings
• Saskatoon Farms gastrointestinal outbreak: New AHS website available
• Pneumococcal vaccine program expansion
• Atypical opioid-related overdose presentations from the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
• Lab Bulletins:
  • Alberta Precision Labs resumes Urea Breath Testing (UBT) for all Zones
  • Return to Complement C3 testing to Edmonton base lab
  • Changes to CSF Prion disease testing panel (Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD)) protein screen

Slide into something cool! Join the 2025-26 Edmonton doctors curling league

Wanted! Members both experienced and new to curling, to join this longstanding league for some competition, but mostly for fun and camaraderie. 

Members in the health field, family and friends are welcome. Coaching is provided. 

Start date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. 

End date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 (tentative)

Where: Granite Curling Club, 8620-107 St. Edmonton. 

Contact: Diana at dmandriashek@gmail.com

RESPs - What's the best contribution strategy for my family?

Sponsored article

RESPs offer more than just a place to save — they’re a strategic way to fund your child’s education. This article helps physicians understand how timing, contribution amounts and grant rules can impact long-term growth. Build a plan that fits your family’s unique needs. 

Community Connections

Promoting a local charitable health-related event? 

Recruiting physicians and medical learners for a medical study? 

Seeking AMA member participation in a survey? 

The AMA receives many requests to promote local events, research participation opportunities and surveys to our members. We consider all requests based on specific criteria and general relevance/appropriateness. Please note that, unless explicitly stated, the AMA is not associated with or responsible for items listed in Community Connections.

In case you missed it

Apply to join the AMA Rates Committee. Deadline is August 29 (member login required).

Upcoming events

AI Tools Checkup: Taking the pulse on your practice readiness

September 11 

WCB-Alberta's 2025 Meredith Lecture

September 17 

Media Relations 201

September 18 

Federation of Medical Women of Canada 2025 Education Conference and AGM

September 27-28

View all upcoming events on the AMA website.

Have an event you'd like to promote?

Review our criteria and submit your event.

Recognition Roundup

August: 

World Humanitarian

Day 
August 19 

International Overdose Awareness Day

August 31

Recommend a special date.

Last issue's top stories

Primary Care Alberta Updates  

Financial planning for physicians

In the August 14
MD Scope Classifieds
you'll find listings for:
 

- Physicians wanted

- Locums wanted

- For sale or lease
- Services

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